20141110Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Topsoil of Northern Coasts of Persian Gulf22Persian Gulf and its coastal areas are the world's largest source of crude oil and related industries govern the region. One of the contaminants in this area is heavy metals associated with oil spill. More importantly, vanadium, nickel and zinc can be named in this regard. In this study, the contamination of northern coasts of Persian Gulf is selected to investigate for trace metals of V, Ni, Cd, Co, Zn, Cu, and Pb pollution in soils, their distribution and levels of contamination. The study was carried out on the northern coasts of Persian Gulf including three provinces of Bushehr, Khuzestan and Hormozgan. The results revealed a great increase in the amount of vanadium in most of the sampling sites to be higher than background values for soil. In Southern Pars Gas Field there was the concentration of 7713.77 mg Kg-1. The concentration of other metals was almost high and a great relationship between vanadium, zinc, cadmium and lead was found.1-112--FatemehValizadeh-kakhki1 Persian Gulf Research Institute, Persian Gulf University Bushehr, Iran
2 Faculty of Environmental Studies, University Putra Malaysia, Malaysia1 Persian Gulf Research Institute, PersianIran--MohammadPauzi ZakariaFaculty of Environmental Studies, University Putra Malaysia, MalaysiaFaculty of Environmental Studies, UniversityIran--MehdiMohammadiPersian Gulf Research Institute, Persian Gulf University Bushehr, IranPersian Gulf Research Institute, PersianIranmehdimohammady@ gmil.com--ElahehValizadeh-kakhkiIslamic Azad University of Mashhad, Mashhad, IranIslamic Azad University of Mashhad, Mashhad,IranHeavy metalsPersian GulfTopsoil contaminationVanadiumNicCholinesterases Enzymes Activities as Biomarkers of Farm Workers Exposed to Organophosphates in Two Communities of Khuzestan, Iran22Organophosphate (OPs) compounds are widely used in intensive agriculture to improve production, protect crops and control diseases vectors. The main mechanism of toxicity of OPs is the inhibition of the Cholinesterase enzymes. In this study the acetylcholinestrase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and specific acetylcholinestrase (SAChE) activities as potential biomarkers of exposure to OPs were evaluated in whole blood and plasma samples of exposed farm workers of Shushtar and Dasht-e Azadegan in Khuzestan, the south-west province of Iran based on the modified Ellman colorimetric method. Then, RBCs (Red Blood cell) and plasma cholinesterases, haemoglobin (Hb) and specific activity of acetylcholinestrase in Shushtar and Dasht-e Azadegan farm workers were compared with the control group.Results obtained in this study showed that the means of RBC AChE activities in Dasht-e Azadegan, the BChE activities in Shushtar as well as the SAChE activities in both groups were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than their means of activities in their control group. Also, means of haemoglobin concentration in samples obtained from Shushtar (p: 0.016) and Dasht-e Azadegan (p: 3×10-4) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the control group.Data obtained in this study indicated that cholinesterase enzymes inhibition provides a good biomarker of exposure to organophosphate pesticides in field studies of human population.1-1322--GholamhosseinMohebbi1 Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
2 Food and Drug Department, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran1 Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology ResearchIran--HeibatallahKalantariDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology,Iran--Mohammad JavadKhodayarDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology,Iran--AlirezaJahangiri1 Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
2 Nanotechnology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran1 Department of Medicinal Chemistry, SchoolIranCholinesterasebiomarkerOrganophosphatesFarm workersKhuzestaThe Investigation of the Anti-fungal Activity of Sea Cucumber (Holothuria Leucospilota) Extracts (Body Wall, Guts and White Strings) from Chabahar Bay, Oman Sea22Compounds obtained from marine organisms have been isolated due to their anti-bacterial and antifungal activities. In this study, the antifungal activity of aqueous-methanol, methanol, chloroform and n-hexane extracts of body wall, guts and white strings of sea cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota) collected from Chabahar Bay in 100 to 2000 μg/ml concentrations is discussed. The antifungal test on fungal strains (A. niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. brasiliensis) and C.albicans yeast was conducted by disk diffusion and broth macro-dilution methods. Growth inhibition zone was not observed in the first method. In the second method, the body wall extract at the concentration of 2000 μg/ml inhibited the growth of all the four fungal strains. Also, white string extracts at concentrations of 1000 to 2000 μg/ml inhibited, to some extent, the growth of A. niger and A. fumigatus and brasiliensis. The best inhibitory effect of this extract in the mentioned concentrations was on A. flavus. The guts extract had no effect.1-2329--ArashShakouriChabahar University of Maritime and Marine Sciences, Chabahar, IranChabahar University of Maritime and MarineIran--FatemehNematpourChabahar University of Maritime and Marine Sciences, Chabahar, IranChabahar University of Maritime and MarineIran--NedaAdibpourJondishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranJondishapour University of Medical Sciences,Iran--AbdolghaniAmeriJondishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IranJondishapour University of Medical Sciences,Iransea cucumberAntifungal activityextractswall of bodygutswhite stringsRadionuclide Activity Concentrations in Some Wild Fungi and Nourished Mushrooms and Their Composts22In this study, natural and artificial radioactivity concentration in Agaricus bispora (nourished mushroom) and their composts, Cantharellus cibarius and Coprinus micaceuc (wild species) were determined. Samples were collected from Sahne and two kinds of wild mushroom species from Songhor Koliai township gardens all located in Kermanshah Province were collected. HPGe gamma ray spectrometry system was used to determine the specific activity of 238U, 235U, 232Th, 40Kand 137Cs. Radioactivity concentration of 238U, 235U and 232Th in the edible mushroom samples in different cultivation were lower than MDA and for 40K and 137Cs they were equal to 1895.24±14.21 – 1920.24±14.71 Bq/kg dry and up to 0.72±0.06 Bq/kg dry respectively. Results of specific activity of 238U, 235U ,232Th, 40K and 137Cs for the composts were equal to 3.40±0.81, up to 5.24±0.34, 6.59±1.63- 7.82±1.37, 1166.12±33.21 – 1428.27±13.71 and 0.75±0.24 – 1.97±0.27 Bqkg-1dry respectively. Edible mushroom in different cultivation of this measurement shows that the radioactivity concentration of interest are close to or lower than MDA (Minimum Detectable Activity) but radioactivity concentration of composts indicate the low pollution of these regions by nuclear accident or nuclear weapon test. Consumption of the mushrooms would impose no health consequences to the consumers.1-3036--RezaPourimaniDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science, Arak University, ArakDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science,Iran--RouhollahGheisari1 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, P.O. Box: 75169-13718, Iran
2 Nuclear Energy Research Center, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran
3 Radiation and Pollution Protection Research Center of Mamasani,1 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science,Irangheisari@pgu.ac.ir--MitraNoori4Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Arak University, Arak4Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences,Iran--SanaRahimiDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science, Arak University, ArakDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science,IranRadioactivity concentrationNourished mushroomWild mushroomHPGeSpatial and Temporal Variation in Copepod Community in the Helleh River Estuary – South Coast of Iran, Persian Gulf22Copepods are the main zooplankton assemblages in most tropical and semi-tropical estuaries. In this research, copepod population dynamics were investigated in Helleh River estuary, Persian Gulf during four seasons beginning from summer 2011 to spring 2012. Samples were taken using plankton net with mesh size of 140 µm and vertical towing from 5 fixed-stations in mid-season. Results showed that copepod comprised 10 families viz. Acartiidae, Paracalanidae, Pontellidae, Temoridae, Oithonidae, Oncaeidae, Corycaeidae, Euterpinidae, Ectinosomatidae, and Miraciidae and 10 genera viz., Acartia, Paracalanus, Labidocera, Temora, Oithona, Oncaea, Corycaeus, Euterpina, Microsetella, and Macrosetella. The most dominant copepod was Acartia sp., with the highest abundance in the fall (36068.3 ind./m3) and the lowest in the winter (1857.3 ind./m3). Diversity was the highest in the summer and the lowest in the winter. There were significant correlations (P<0.01) between copepod abundance as well as biodiversity with salinity and dissolved oxygen. Based on this study, the most important factors in mudflat shallow river–estuarine system that can describe most changes of copepod assemblages were salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, temperature and Secchi depth, respectively. The cluster analysis aggregated the community into two groups, one associated with nauplii copepod and the other with copepodids and adults.1-3750--MojtabaPouladiDepartment of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, IranDepartment of Natural Resources, IsfahanIran--OmidvarFarhadianDepartment of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, IranDepartment of Natural Resources, IsfahanIranomfarhad@cc.iut.ac.ir--VazirizadehAmirPersian Gulf Research Institute, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, IranPersian Gulf Research Institute, PersianIranCopepodsPopulation dynamicsDiversityHelleh River estuaryPersian GulfGrowth, Mortality and Stock Abundance of Venerid Bivalve, Paphia cor from Iranian Coastal Waters of Bushehr, Persian Gulf22In this study, population dynamics of venerid bivalve Paphia cor was investigated for a one-year period (2008-2009) in Bushehr shoreline areas (50˚ 40´ E- 29˚ 14´N) to estimate the stock abundance, growth parameters and natural mortality. Sampling was carried out bi-monthly by transects at random direction and zigzag pattern with duplicated quadrate (0.25 m2). The length frequency was used to estimate the growth and natural mortality parameters using LFDA statistical software. Sediment (μ), salinity (ppt) and water temperature (°C) were also sampled and measured. The Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated as K = 0.8 year−1, L¥ = 55 mm and t0 = -0.45 year−1. Estimated natural mortality rate and maximum age (Tmax) were 0.57 year−1 and 50 months respectively. The mean (±SE) stock abundance of P. cor was 10.5±0.9 shells/m2, with the maximum in February and the minimum in November. The mean value of water temperature and salinity were 25.2 °C (SD = 1.6) and 42 ppt (SD = 1.4) respectively. The bottom sediment grain sizes consisted of gravel (2.0 μ). The results showed that the water temperature and sediment types affected the growth and existence of P. cor in the studied area.1-5158--NassirNiamaimandiIran Shrimp Research Institute, Bushehr, Iran.Iran Shrimp Research Institute, Bushehr,IranGrowth parametersAbundanceBivalvePaphia corBushehrPersian GulfLength-Weight Relationships of Five Species of Demersal Fish from North of Persian Gulf, Iran22 This study describes length-weight relationships of five species (platycephalus indicus, Pseudorhombus elevates, Plicofollis tenuispinis, Grammoplites suppositus, Pomadays stridens) collected from Persian Gulf (Khuzestan province, Iran) during December 2009 to November 2011. A total of 2065 specimen were examined for this study. The relationship between weight and total length were estimated: W=0.000004L3.10 (n=470, R2=0.86) for p. indicus, W=0.000009L3.04 (n=363,R2=0.96) for p. elevates ,W=0.000005L3.10 (n=466,R2 =0.82), for p. tenuispinis, , W=0.000006L2.95 (n=486,R2 =0.69), for G. suppositus and W=0.00009L3.04 (n=201,R2 =0.89) for p. stridens. Length-weight relationship indicated positive allometric growth for p. stridens, p. tenuispinis and p. indicus while negative allometric growth for G. suppositus. The expected aim of the present study was to provide basic information for fishery biologists in Iran.1-5966--Seyed AhmadrezaHashemiDepartment of Fisheries, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Gorgan, Iran.Department of Fisheries, Gorgan UniversityIran--Seyed AminollahTaghavimotlaghIranian Fisheries Research Organization, Tehran, Iran.Iranian Fisheries Research Organization,Iran--GholamrezaEskandarySouth of Iran Aquaculture Fishery Research Center, Ahvaz, IranSouth of Iran Aquaculture Fishery ResearchIran--AliakbarHedayatiDepartment of Fisheries, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Gorgan, Iran.Department of Fisheries, Gorgan UniversityIranLength-weight relationshipsIsometric growthPersian Gulf